Carnival is a phenomenon that explodes every spring in expressions of dance and debauchery all around the world. Rooted in Catholic traditions, Carnival is a time of celebration; a chance to get all of your feasting and sinfulness out of your system before the 40-day somber and reflective season of Lent that ends with Easter. Across many countries, communities celebrate Carnival with unique rituals that are a feast of color, music, sexuality and satire for both participants and spectators. Here are nine top Carnival celebrations that are worth adding to your travel bucket list.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Carnival

The largest Carnival celebration in the world draws around two million people to the streets of Rio each day the four-day extravaganza. 200 samba schools and 300 street bands perform and compete along the massive Sambadrome, a parade runway flanked with grandstands.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands – Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnaval

This flamboyant “Brazilian-style” two-week event kicks off with a televised Carnival Queen competition where candidates parade in extravagant costumes. The party continues with many music groups playing in the streets and days of joie de vivre, culminating with dancing on large stages in the main plaza, feasting, and a spectacular parade, “el coso.”

Venice, Italy – Carnevale di Venezia

Elaborate costumes and fine masks are hallmarks of Carnival in Venice. Masquerade balls, lavish private parties, and public events relive centuries-old social customs while allowing participants to disguise their identity and social status.

New Orleans, Louisiana – Mardi Gras

For two weeks, the city revels in high-spirited parades, legendary music, and hedonistic merry-making. Fat Tuesday in New Orleans is the epitome of the Big Easy motto, Laissez les bon temps roulez (Let the good times roll). Parade spectators vie for bead necklaces thrown from the floats and are known to be quite immodest to attract attention.

Quebec City, Canada – Quebec Winter Carnival

Quebec actually schedules its winter carnival to take place during the heaviest snows because it’s all about outdoor winter sports – dog sledding, snow sculpting, tobogganing, ice skating, snow bathing, and much more. You can even stay at the Hotel de Glace, an actual hotel that is built each year completely out of ice blocks.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – Carnival

The Caribbean’s largest Carnival celebration pays homage to their slave heritage, as well as Catholic traditions. Soca and Calypso music, steel pan competitions, parades, and very skimpy costumes are a staple of the two-week festivities that draw about 300,000 people to the National Stadium.

Cologne, Germany – Cologne Festival

The biggest street festival in Europe happens when over a million visitors descend on Cologne over Carnival. Men and women freely distribute kisses with pursed lips (bützjer) and Thursday before Ash Wednesday is designated “Women’s Day” when ladies roam the streets with scissors cutting off men’s ties. The Monday parade is known for its huge satirical papier-mâché caricatures of politicians.

Nice, France – Carnaval de Nice

Carnival celebrations in Nice date back to the Middle Ages but in the 19th-century parades began. The arrival of a huge papier-mâché King of Carnival marks the beginning of the celebrations that include hundreds of international musicians, dancers, and elaborate floats. During the Flower Parade, 100,000 flowers are thrown to the crowds in “flower wars.” On the last night of Carnival, the effigy of the king is sailed out to sea and set afire, then fireworks light up the Bay of Angels.

Panaji, India – Goa Intruz

Nearly 400 years of Portuguese rule in the Goan part of India left European Carnival traditions that are now mixed with traditional Hindu culture. Fireworks are used to wake the gods and the main event is the procession of King Momo, the King of Chaos, who encourages the villagers to “Kha, piye aani majja kar” (Eat, drink and make merry).

The 2017 Carnival season ends today, so wherever you are, I hope you’ve had a chance to indulge. It’s never too early to plan for next year, so if you’d like to experience one of these favorite Carnival celebrations, get in touch with one of our Covington Vacation Advisors soon.